Gas valve



Oct. 20, '1942. I Q F TURNER ETAL 2,299,666

GAS VALVE Filed Feb. l2, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Zit/dgl@ 561,25.

Patented Oct. 20, 1942 GAS VALVE George F. Turner and Vincent C.Peterson, Chicago, lll., assigner:

Harper-Wyman Company, Chicago, lll., a corporation of IllinoisApplication February 12, 194i, sensi No. 378,511

(ci. 'J4- 504) 15 Claims.

The present invention pertains -to gas valves and more particularly tothe provision of gas valves with new and improved valve positionindicating and determining means. This means is particularly adapted foruse in conjunction with a double gas valve, that is, a gas valve havingtwo outlet passageways through which gas 'may be selectively supplied tothe simmer section or to both the simmer and main burner sections of adouble gas burner. More specically, the present invention is directed tothe provision of a position indicating and determining mechanism for agas valve operable from an oil to full on positions through a pluralityof intermediate positions.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a valveposition indicating and determining means which is capable of producingan audible click for one intermediate position and resisting turningmovement of the valve for a plurality of other intermediate positions.

A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a valvemechanism having stops for determining the off and full on positions andhaving associated therewith means providing an audible click when thevalve is operated to an intermediate simmerposition and resistance toturning of the valve for two other intermediate positions of the valve.

A further and more specific object of the pres'- ent invention is toprovide a valve of the type described with position determining andindicatproducing an audible sound ing means capable of when the valve isrotated in either direction to a simmer position.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the ensu- Fig.,9 is a view similar to Fig. 2 of a modiiledform of closure member; and

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a modified form of detent plate to beused in conjunction with the closure member illustrated in Fig. 9.,

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1 and 3A, the double gas valvewith which the position indicating and determining means of the presentinvention are utilized is indicated by reference character i0. Itcomprises a. valve body i2 within which is mounted -a rotatable controlmember illustrated 'as a tapered plug i4. 'I'he tending projections 32and 33 and surrounds the` ing description, in the course of whichreference is had to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a top'plan view, partly broken away, of a gas valve embodyingthe present invention, the valve being illustrated in its oil position;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation, on an enlarged scale, of a closure memberforming part of the position indicating and determining meansillustrated in Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 to 8 are cross-sectional views on an eniarged scale taken alongthe line 3-3' of Fig. 1, .llustrating various positions of the valveplug. )f these iigures, 4 to 8, inclusive, are fragmenlary;

Figs. 3A to 8A are cross-sectional views taken ilong the line A-A ofFig. 1, illustrating the cor- 'esponding positions of the positionindicating md determining mechanism; e

' threaded bosses plug is provided with an axial passageway i6 providingcommunication between the interior of the valve plug and a chamber i1(see Fig. 1)

within which the plug is mounted. The plug is provided also with a pairof main radially disposed passageways i8 and 20 located approximatelyfrom each other and a small auxiliary passageway 22 located between themain radial passageways. The end of passageway 22 at the outer surfaceof the valve plug is enlarged, as indicated by reference character 23,for a purpose to be described hereinafter. The valve plug is rotatableby a` handle 24 secured to a valve stem 26 formed integrally with theplug and having a substantially D-shaped cross section.

The position indicating and determining mechanism of the Qpresentinvention comprises a detent plate or washer 28 surrounding and movable.

by the valve stem and a closure plate 30. The latter is provided with apair of inwardly exvalve stem but is fixedly secured to the valve body.Plate 28 isurged toward plate 30 by a spring 34 surrounding the valvestem and serving also to urge the valve plug toward its seat. Thespeciiic construction and operation of the position indicating anddetermining mechanism will be described in greater detail after briefconsideration is had of the valve which, while forming no part ofthepresent invention, should be understood in order that a betterunderstanding may be had of the present invention. The valveconstruction itself forms the subject matter of the co-pendingapplication of Philip S. Harper, Gas valves, tiled contemporaneouslyherewith.

The valve body is provided with a gas inlet passageway 36 formed as by adrilling operation in a boss 38 that is exteriorly threaded forattachment to the usual gas supply manifold, not shown. The valve bodyis also provided with a pair of axially extending. spaced apart,exteriorly 40 and 42 that are drilled to form gas outlet passageways 44and 46 through 2 a aaoaeoe l which gas is supplied tothe simmerY andmain sageway 48 communicates with the plug surfacev through a passageway48 drilled into a boss I0 also formed integrally with the valve body butclosed as by a plug 52. Adiustably mounted hoods 54 provided withorifices and cooperating with xed needle valves, not shown but oiconventional construction, are secured to the outer ends of bosses 40and 42 to provide nozzles Ithrough which gas is supplied to the burnersections at suitable velocities when the valve is in its full onposition.

The valve body is provided also with a further boss 86 within which ismounted a valve member 58 adjustable to vary the amount oi.' gassupplied to the simmer section when the valve plug islrotated into itslow simmer position, as will be described in greater detail hereinafter.Any suitable valve mechanism may be employed to provide the adjustment,although theone illustrated is of an improved construction. forming thesubject matter of the co-pending application of Turner et, al., ledcontemporaneously herewith. The valve member 58 is adjustabiy Vmountedin an insert 59 to vary the ow of gas through a small passageway 60formed at the reduced end portion of the insert and communicating withthe valve plug surface through a passageway 62. The interior of theinsert communicates with the inlet passageway 36 througha passageway 04formed in the lnsert, an annular Achamber 86 formed by the reduced endportion of the insert and the interior of boss 54, and a passageway68leading to the inlet passageway. Leakage of gas and undesired movementof the adjustable valve 58 are prevented by a cap and a sealing gasket12.

The construction ofy the position indicating and determining mechanismmay best be ascertained from Figs. 2 and 3A to which reference will nowbe had. The closure plate 30, illustrated in Fig. 2, has a substantiallydiamondshaped contour and is secured to the. valve body by a pair o!screws 14 and 16 in such manner that the projection 32 is located nearthe topl of lthe valve and approximately 20 to the left of the verticalcenter line of the valve, the projection 33 being diametrically oppositeprojection 32. The plate 30 is also provided with a central circularaperture 18 of a diameter slightly larger than that of the valve stem.The

movement being approximately 36. The portion of the detent cooperatingwith the dat side of the valve stem comprises a rounded apex 80 and ilatportions 82 and 84 defining surfaces at angies of about 18 to a line'tangential to the apex 98. The detent plate 28 also comprises a pair ofopposed arcuate projections |80 and |82 equidistant radially from theaxisloi' the valve and valve stem and adapted to clear the shoulvalve.

is such also that an audible click is given when front end oi the valvebody proper is cut away to provide a space `y80 for Vthe reception oithe projections 32, 33, the plate 30, and spring 34. The space or recessis also cut to provide a shoulder 82 cooperable with the detent plate 20to determine the on' position of the valve, and a second shoulder 84likewise cooperable with the plate to determine the full on position ofthe valve. l

The detent plate is provided Vwith a relatively short arcuate projection86 including an angle of about 42 for engaging the shoulders 82 and 84at the limiting of! and full on positions of the valve. The detent plate28 is also provided with a substantially centrally located aperture 88of a diameter slightly greater than that or the valve stem and definingan angular opening sufiicient to permit relative movement between ders82 and 84. The previously referred to projection 86 is locatedsubstantially centrally of arcuate projection |02, thus constituting areduced extension of the latter. Projection |00 defines a pair ofshoulders |04 and |06 and the arcuate portion |00 similarly deiinesshoulders |08 and ||0 for cooperation with projections 32 and 33 toindicate and determine the heretofore referred to intermediate valvepositions. Shoulders |04 and |l8 and shoulders |00 and |08 arediametrically opposite each other, respectively. Shoulders |04 and |08on the one hand. and shoulders |08 and ||0 on the other maybe consideredas formed by arcuate recesses in the detent plate.

The operation of the valve and the position and determining mechanismmay best be understood by'considering the various positions of the Inintroduction it` may be stated that the valve illustrated may supply adouble burner with sufficient gas to provide from 9.000 to 12,000 B. t.u. when the valve is in its full on position, the gas being supplied toboth the main. and simmer burner sections. It may also supply gassufficient to furnish about 1200 B. t. u. in its simmer position, thegas being supplied only to the simmer section. In the low simmerposition the amount of gas supplied to the simmer` section may besuiiicient to provide heat at a rate of about 250 B. t. u. These rates,it should be understood, are intended merely to be illustrative.

From the foregoing it may be noted that only a very limited amount ofgas is supplied to the burner in the low simmer position,l and whensupplied is not enough always to insure proper lighting of the burner bythe usual automatic lighting means. It is, therefore, preferable thatthe valve be operated to its simmer position when initially lighting theburner. In order to enable the users of the valve to do this, theposition indicating and determining means is so constructed and arrangedas to provide an audible sound or click when the valve is operated fromits ci! to its simmer position. The construction the valve is operatedto a simmer position after having been turned to its full on position.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 to 8 and 3A to 8A, bothinclusive, it may be noted that they illustrate various positions of thevalve and corresponding positions of the position indicating anddetermining mechanism.

The on position of the valve and corresponding position of the positionindicating and determining mechanism are illustrated in Figs. 3 and 3A,respectively. Upon reference to Fig. 3, it may be noted that the mainand branch inlet passageways are sealed from both the simmer f and mainburner section outlet passages. At`

this time the outermost projection 86` oi' the detent plate 28 abutsagainst the shoulder 82, and projections |00 and |02 are overIprojections 32 and 33 of closure plate 3,0, against which they areurged by the spring u. The position of the valve operating -handle 24obtaining when the plate and valve stem, the extent of relative '(5 thevalve is in its oil' position is indicated by the simmer burner outletpassageway burner section outlet passageway ftion of the burner toinsure ignition thereof by automatic lighting means. The position of theburner is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 4A. From Fig. 4 it may be notedthat the main gas inlet passage 38 communicates with the axial passageI8 of the valve plug through radial passageway I8 and thereby with thesimmer section gas outlet passageway 4I. No gas, however, is supplied tothe main burner section, the passage of gas thereto being prevented bythe valve plug. As the valve plug is rotated in a counterclockwisedirection from the off position indicated in Fi'g. 3.

to the simmer position indicated in Fig. 4, initial movement of theoperating handle 28 results in rotating of the valve plug but not of thedetent plate 28 by reason of the lost motion connection between thevalve stem and detent plate. However, upon continued rotation o1' thevalve, the ilat surface of the valve stem engages the portion 82 of thedetent plate to eiect rotation of the latter. counterclockwisedirection, the shoulders |06 and |08 of arcuate projections |00 and |02,respectively, reach the edge of the projections 32 and 33, and thespring 34 effects rapid movement of the detent plate toward and againstthe olate 30, the lost motion connection between the detent plate andvalve stem permitting rapid movement and the jumping of the plate aslight distance beyond the projections as illustrated in Fig. 4A.

From the simmer position the valve may be operated further in acounterclockwise direction or it may be moved in a clockwise directionto.

the low simmer position indicated in Figs. 8 and 8A. However, it willybe assumed that the valve is operated further in a counterclockwisedirection. Continued operation of the valve in this direction results inthe continued supply of gas to the simmer section. When the valve isrotated to the position indicated in Fig. 5, that is, somewhat less than180 from its off position, the lost motion between the valve stem anddetent plate resulting from the jumping of the latter is taken up andthe detent plate shoulders and |04 are moved against projections 32 and33, respectively. The projections serve moderately to restrict movementof the valve operating handle, thereby indicating to the operator thatfurther movement will result in the supply of gas to both the main andsimmer burner sections at a low rate.

The valve'may beoperated further in a counter-l clockwise directionuntil the arcuate projections |02 and |00 overlie projections 32 and 33,respectively. thereby to supply gas to the valves at a regulatable rateuntil the projection 86 strikes shoulder 8l to indicate the full onposition. 'I'his position of the valve is indicated in Fig. 6. Gas issupplied to both the simmer and main burner section outlet passageways44 and 48 through the main inlet passagewayl 33, the gas flowing to thethrough the to the main through the radial passageway I8. The auxiliaryradial passageway 22-23 in the valve plug serves to prevent sealing ofthe main gas inlet passageway 36 by the valve surface between radialpassageways I8 and 20 as the valve is operated from its simaxialpassageway in the plug and As the detent plate is rotated in a mer toits full on position. In other words, it

provides an even tlnal or low turn down range when gas is being suppliedto both burner secons.

When it is desired to reduce the quantity of gas supplied to the burner,say to a point where gas is supplied to the simmer section only, thevalve is rotated in a clockwise direction until an audible click isheard.V The click results in the same manner as heretofore described,although at this time the valve is at a slightly different angle than inthe simmer position illustrated in Figs. 4 and 4A. However. in thissecond simmer position, gas is again supplied solely to the simmersection oi' the burner, as indicated in Fig. 7. The click results fromthe movement of arcuate projections |02 and |00 01Tl the projections 32and 33, respectively, by the action of the spring 34, the detent platethen occupying the position illustratedinFlg. 7A.

To operate the valve into its low simmer position from either of thesimmer positions, that is, the simmer positions of Figs. 4, 4A, and 7and 7A, the valve is rotated in a clockwise direction until movement ofthe valve is restricted by detent plate shoulders |06 and |08 strikingprojections 32 and 33, respectively, as indicated in Fig. 8A. At thistime gas is supplied to the simmer section through the branch passageway88 and at a rate determinedby the adjustment of valve 58. l

When the valve is returned 'to its off position, the valve and positionindicating and determining mechanism occupy the positions illustrated inFigs. 3 and 3A, and which have already been described.

From the foregoing description of'the operation of the valve andposition indicating and determining mechanism, itis to be noted that anaudible click is given at one of the several intermediate positions andthat movement of the valve is restricted in lother intermediatepositions. While Ain the instant embodiment restriction of movementoccurs at two different angular positions to indicate the simmerposition of the valve, it should be understood that the second simmerposition might very well be some other operative position of the valvewhich could be indicated by the restriction of movement. Consequently,while the present invention has been described in conjunction with aspeciilc form of valve, it should be understood that it is applicable toother forms of valves as well. Furthermore,

the construction of the two plates may be reversed, i. e., the-shoulderdening closure plate may be iixedly secured relative to the valve bodyand the movable detent disc may be provided with the projections. f

A construction of this type is illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10 to whichreference will now be had. The ilxedly secured plate ||2iilustrated .inFig. 9 is provided with a central aperture I4 through whi-ch the valvestem extends. It is also provided with diametrically opposite arcuateapertures or recesses ||6 andv ||8 providing four spaced apart shoulders|20, |22, |24 and |26. The apertures are so located that the shouldersare positioned in the same places as the shoulders ofthe detent plate ofthe'previously described embodiment when the plate is in its oil'position.

The detent plate |28 illustrated in Fig. 10 is provided with a centralaperture |30 corresponding in construction with the aperturel of detentplate 28. The plate is constructed with opposed arcuate portions |32 and|34 provided sitions of 4- jacent shoulders tance such that ofthe stemmay arcuate portions are embodiment for determining the uma positions ofthe valve. v

The detent plate |28, in the of! position of the valve, occupiesaposition corresponding to the detent plate 28 shown in Fig. 3A, inwhich position the projections |36 and |38 are centrally locatedrelative to portions of the plate H2 between the apertures. The otheroperative pothe valve detent plates correspond to those of thepreviously described embodiment so that further description thereof isnot deemed to be necessary.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by United States LettersPatent is:

1. A position indicating and determining mechanism fora valve comprisinga body and I operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the body,including in combination, a first plate flxedly secured relative to saidbody and aper- -t'ured for the passage of the stem therethrough,

a second plate located adjacent said plate and rotatable by said stem,and spring means for urging said second plate toward said nrst plate,one of said plates being provided with substan- 'j tially diametrlcallyopposite projections of relatively narrow arcuate extent and the otherwith substantially diametrlcally opposite portions each deiiznlng a pairof shoulders cooperable with said projections to` restrict rotation ofthe stem, said shoulders being spaced apart a distance such thatsubstantial unrestricted rotation of the stem may be effected in eithervdirection when the projections are between a pair of shoulders definedby one portion or between addenned by both portions.

2. A position mechanism for a valve comprising a body and operable by arotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, afirst plate flxedly secured relative to said body and apertured for thepassageof the stemtherethrough,

a second plate located adjacent said plate rotatable by and having aloose connection relative -to said stem, and spring means for urgingsaid second plate toward said ilrst plate, one of said plates beingprovided with a projection of relativelv narrow arcuate extent facingtoward the other plate, and said other plate with a pair ofsubstantially diametrlcally opposite arcuate portions of greater arcuateextent than said projection and adapted to displace said first plateagainst said spring when positioned over said projection, each of saidportions defining a pair of spaced apart projection moderately torestrict rotation of the stem, said shoulders being spaced apart adissubstantial unrestricted rotation be effected when the projection isbetween certain pairs of adjacent shoulders until said projection abutsagainst a shoulder,

vwhereupon further movement is moderately restricted, and such thatsubstantialy unrestricted rotation of the stem may be effected when saidover the projection until said projection slides off said shoulders,whereupon said spring means each other to provide audible indications.

3.'In a valve according to claim 2 wherein the plate rotatable with saidstem is rotatable a limited extent relative to the stem.

shoulders cooperable with said' 4. In a valve according to claim 2wherein the plate rotatable with said stem is provided with astopdenning portion engageable with shoulders fixed relative to the body todetermine amd of the closure and indicating and determiningv forces saidplates toward l the limits of movement of said stem.

5. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valvecomprising a body and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside thebody. including in combination, a first plate xedly secured relative tosaid body and apertured for the passage of the stem therethrough, asecond plate located adjacent said plate rotatable by and to a limitedextent relative to said stem, and spring means or urging said secondplate toward said nrst plate, one of said plates having a pair ofdiametrically opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent facingtoward the other plate, and the other plate having opposed diametrlcallyopposite shoulders de- 4xined by arcuate recesses, said first platebeing so located with respect to the stem and second plate, that inA oneposition'of the stem the projections of one plate abut against the otherplate thereby forcing the movable plate away from the other against thespring means, and that when the stem is rotated in one direction fromsaid one position to a second predetermined position the movable plateis rotated and the projections fall oil said shoulders and the springeiIects rapid movement of the movable' plate toward the nxed plate toprovide an audible indication, the stem being thereafter movable in theopposite direction to a third predetermined position determined bymoderate restriction of movement thereof by engagement of saidprojections with said shoulders.

6. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valvecomprising a body and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside the.body including in combination, a first plate fixedly secured relativeto said body and apertured for the passage of the stem therethrough, asecond plate located adjacent said plate rotatable by and to a limitedextent relative to said stem, and spring means for urging said secondplate toward said 'first plate, one of said plates having a pair ofdiametricaliy opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent -facingtoward the other plate, and the other plate having two pairs of opposeddiametrically opposite shoulders dened by opposed arcuate recesses, saidshoulders being spaced apart distances substantially greater than thearcuate extent of said projections, said first plate being so locatedwith respect to the stem and second plate that in one position of thestem the projections of one plate abut against the other plate therebyforcing the movable plate against the spring means, and that when thestem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a secondpredetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projectionsfall oil one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the springeffects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the iixed plate toprovide an audible indication, the stem being thereafter movable in thesame direction to a third predetermined position determined by moderaterestriction of movement thereof by engagement of said projections withanother pair of diametrlcally opposite shoulders.

'L A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valvecomprising a body having spaced apart nxed shoulders and operable by arotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, afirst plate flxedly secured relative to said body and apertured for theextent of said projections, said first plate being so located withrespect to the stem and second plate, that in one position of the stemthe projections of one plate abut against the other plate therebyforcing the movable plate against the spring means, and that when thestem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a sec ondpredetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projectionsfall ofi one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the springeffects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plate toprovide an audible indication, the stem being thereafter movable in thesame direction to a third predetermined position determined by moderaterestriction of movement thereof by engagement of said projections withanother pair of diametrically opposite shoulders, and finally to afourth predetermined position wherein the projections of said one plateabut against the other plate, said movable plate having a stop definingshoulder engageable with a fixed shoulder on the body for determiningsaid fourth position.

8. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valvecomprising a body and operable by a rotatable stem extending 'outsidethe body, including in combination, a iirst plate fixedly securedrelative to said body and apertured for the passage of the stemtherethrough, a second plate4 located adjacent said plate rotatable byand to a limited extent relative to said stem,

and spring means for urging said second plate l toward said first plate,one of said plates having a pair of diametrically opposite projectionsof narrow arcuate extent facing toward the other plate, and the otherplate having two pairs of opposed diametrically opposite shouldersdefined by arcuate recesses, said shoulders being spaced apart distancessubstantially greater than the arcuate extent of said projections, saidfirst plate being so located with respect tothe stem and second plate,that in one position of the stem the projections of one plate abutagainst the other plate thereby displacing the movable plate against thespring means and, that when the stem is rotated in one direction fromsaid one position to a second predetermined position the movable plateis rotated and the projections fall off one pair of diametricallyopposite shoulders and the spring effects rapid movement of the movableplate toward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication, the stembeing movable further in the same direction to a third predeterminedposition determined by moderate restriction of movement thereof' byengagement of said projections with another pair of diametricallyopposite shoulders, and thereafter to a position wherein the projectionsof said one plate abut against the other plate to displace said movableplate, said stein thereafter being movable in the opposite direction toa position wherein the projections fall off said other pair of shouldersand the spring again eiiects rapid movement of the movable 5 platetoward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication.

9. A position indicating and determining mechanism Xfor a valvecomprising a body-having spaced apart fixed shoulders and operable by arotatable stem extending outside the body. including in combination, afirst plate fixedly secured relative to said body and apertured for thepassage of the stem therethrough, a second plate located adjacent saidplate rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, andspring means for urging said second plate toward said first plate, oneof said plates having a pair of diametrically opposite projections ofnarrow arcuate extent facing toward the other plate, and

the other plate having two pairs of opposed diametrically oppositeshoulders defined by arcuate recesses, said shoulders being spaced apartdistances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of saidprojections, said first plate being so located with respect to the stemand second plate, that in one position of the stem thel projections ofone plate abut against the other plate thereby displacing the movableplate against the spring means and that when the stem is rotated in onedirection from said one position to a second predetermined position themovable plate is rotated and the projections fall on one pair ofVdiametrically oppositeshoulders and the spring effects rapid movement ofthe movable plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audibleindication, that pair of'diametrically opposite shoulders, that the stemis thereafter rotatable in the same direction with the projections ofone plate abutting against and displacing the other plate to a fourthpredetermined position, said movable plate being provided with a stopdefining shoulder engageable with a fixed shoulder on the body fordeterminfourth position, the stem thereafter being movable in theopposite direction to a fifth predeter-mined position determined by thefalling of the projections from said other pair of shoulders whereuponthe spring means again effects rapid movement of the movable platetoward the fixed plate to provide an audible indication, to a sixthpredetermined position determined by moderate restriction to furthermovement resulting from engagement of said projections with said onepair of diametrically opposite shoulders, and finally to said oneposition as determined by engagement of said stop defining shoulder withanother fixed shoulder on the body.

10. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valvecomprising a body and operable by a rotatable stem extending outside thebody, including in combination, a first plate fixedly secured to saidbody and apertured for the passage of the stem therethrough, a secondplate located between said plate and body and rotatable by and to alimited extent relative to said stem, and spring means for urging saidsecond plate toward said first plate, said iirst plate having a pair ofdiametrically opposite projections of narrow arcuate extent facingtoward the second plate, and the second plate having two pairs ofopposed diametrically opposite shoulders defined by arcuate recesses,said shoulders being spaced apart distances substantially greater thanthe arcuate extent of said projections, said fixed plate being solocated with respect to the stem and movable plate, that in one positionof thesecond predetermined stem the projections of the xed plate abutagainst the movable plate thereby displacing the latter against thespring means, and that when the stem is rotated in one direction fromsaid one position to a second predetermined position the movable plateis rotated and its projections fall off one pair of diametricallyopposite shoulders and the spring effects rapid movement of the in theprojections fall off said other pair of shouleffects rapid movefixedplate ders and the spring again ment of the movable plate toward the toprovide an audible indication.

11. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valvecomprising a body having spaced apart fixed shoulders and operable by arotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, afirst plate iixedly secured to said body and apertured for the passageof the stern therethrough, a second plate located between said plateandbody and rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, andspring means for urging said movable plate toward said-fixed plate, saidfixed plate having a pair of diametrically opposite projections ofnarrow arcuate extent facing toward the movable plate, and the movableplate having two pairs of opposed diametrically opposite shouldersdefined by arcuate recesses, said shoulders being spaced apart distancessubstantially greater than the arcuate extent of vsaid projections, saidfixed plate being so located with respect to theA stem and second plate,that in one position of thestem the projections of the fixed plate abutagainst the movable plate to displace the latter against the springmeans and that when the stem is rotated in one direction from said oneposition to a position the movable plate is rotated and the projectionsfall off one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and the springeffects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plate toprovide an audible indication, that when the stem is rotated further inthe same direction to a third predetermined position further movement ismoderately restricted by engagement of said projections with anotherpair of diametrically opposite shoulders, that the stem is thereafterrotatable in the same direction with the projections of said fixed plateabutting against the movable plate to a fourth predetermined position.said movable plate being provided with a stop defining shoulderengageable with a fixed shoulder on the body for determining said fourthposition, the stem thereafter i being movable in the opposite directionto a fifth predetermined position determined by the falling o f theprojections from saidyother pair of shoulders whereupon the spring meansagain effects rapid movement of the movable plate toward the fixed plateto provide an audible indication, to a 'sixth predetermined positiondetermined by moderateY restriction to further movement resulting fromengagement of said projections with said one pair of diametricallyopposite shoulders, and finally to said one position as determined bysaid l stop defining shoulder engaging a second fixed shoulder on thebody. v

12. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valvecomprising a body and operable by a, rotatable stem extending outsidethe body, including in combination, a first plate fixedly secured thepassage of the stern therethrough, a second plate located between saidplate and body and ro-v tatable by and to a limited extent relative tosaid stem, and spring means for urging said second plate toward saidfixed plate, said movable plate having a pair of diametrically oppositeprojections of narrow arcuate extent facing toward the fixed plate, andthe fixedr plate having a pair of arcuate apertures defining two pairsof opposed diametrically opposite shoulders, said shoulders being spacedapart distances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of saidprojections, said fixed plate being so located with respect to the stemand movable plate, that in one position of the stem the projections ofthe movable plate abut against the fixed plate thereby displacing whenthe stem is rotated in one direction from said one position to a secondpredetermined position the movable plate is rotated and the projectionsthereon fall ofi one pair of diametrically opposite shoulders and thespring effects rapid movement thereof toward the fixed plate to providean audible indication, the stem being movable further in the samedirection to a third predetermined position determined by moderaterestriction of movement thereof by engagement of said projections withanother pair of diametrically opposite shoulders, and thereafter to aposition wherein the projections of said movable plate abut against thefixed plate to displace the former, said stem thereafter being movablein the opposite direction to a position wherein the projections fall offsaid other pair of shoulders and the spring again effects rapid movementof the movable plate toward the fixed plate to provide an audibleindication.

13. A position indicating and determining mechanism for a valvecomprising a body having spaced apart xed shoulders and operable by arotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, afirst plate xedly secured to said body and apertured for the passage ofthe stem therethrough, a second plate located between said plate andbody and rotatable by and to a limited extent relative to said stem, andspringmeans for urging said-movable plate toward said fixed plate, saidmovable plate having a pair of diametrically oposite projections ofnarrow arcuate extent facing toward the xed plate, and the fixed platehaving a pair of opposed arcuate apertures deiining two pairs of opposeddiametrically opposite shoulders, said shoulders being spaced apartdistances substantially greater than the arcuate extent of saidprojections, said fixed plate being so located with respect to the stemand movable plate, that in one position of the stem the projections ofthe movable vplate abut against the fixed plate thereby displacing theformer against the spring means and that when the tion from said oneposition to a second predetermined position the movable plate is rotatedand the projections thereon fall off one pair of diametrically oppositeshoulders and the spring effects rapid movement thereof toward the xedplate to provide an audible indication, that when the stem is rotatedfurther in the same direction stem is rotated in one direc' to said bodyand apertured for the latter against the spring means and, that to athird predetermined position further movement is moderately restrictedby engagement of said projections with another pair of diametricallyopposite shoulders, that the stem is thereafter rotatable in the samedirection with the projections abutting against and displacing themovable plate to a fourth predetermined position, said movable platebeing provided with a stop defining shoulder engaging a fixed shoulderon the body for determining said fourth position, the stem thereafterbeing movable in the opposite direction to a fifth predeterminedposition determined by the falling of the projections from saidv otherpair of shoulders whereupon the spring means again effects rapidmovement of the movable plate toward the iixed plate to provide anaudible indication, to a sixth predetermined position determined bymoderaterestriction to further movement resulting from engagement ofsaid projections with said one pair of -diametrically oppositeshoulders, and iinally to said one position as determined by said stopdening shoulder engaging a second xed shoulder on the body.

14. A position indicating and determining tion falls into said erable bya rotatable stem extending outside the body, including in combination, afirst plate .iixed relative to the body and a second plate rotai...=.elewith and loosely connected relative to the stem, one of said plateshaving an arcuate recess therein of substantial arcuate extent defininga pair of spaced apart shoulders, the other of said plates having aprojection adapted to slide oil said shoulders when the stem is rotatedin either direction, and spring means urging said movable plate towardthe fixed plate, whereby an audible indication of the stem positionis\giv en as the stem is rotated in either direction to move saidmovable plate into positions wherein the projecrecess.

15. A mechanism according to claim 14, wherein limited relative movementis provided between the plate movable by the stem and the stem, wherebytwo additional positions of the valve are indicated by restriction ofmovement of the stem when-said projection strikes said shoulders.

i GEORGE F. TURNER.

VINCENT C. PETERSON.

lmechanism for a valve comprising a body and opy

